The Snowden revelations have cause us to re-examine our internet freedom and right to self-privacy. The far reaching surveillance by the National Security Agency and the rest of the Five Eyes (Canada, United Kingdom, New Zealand and Australia) on 35 heads of state (that we know of) and millions of ordinary citizens has caused public outrage which has transcended national borders. Also it has produced much condescending and controversial rhetoric from the likes of France and Germany which is not surprising unless you’re Director of National Intelligence Jim Clapper. However, it has made me wonder have these truths damaged U.S. and European relations beyond a superficial level, particularly with the much publicised and lucrative Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership negotiations ongoing?
Merkel gets tapped
Der Spiegel was the first to break the news of the NSA tapping Angela Merkel’s mobile phone which as any person would expect prompted a German reaction and a personal call from President Obama to Merkel to calm any fears. The outrage portrayed by the Merkel government was an appropriate political response for a country that highly regards itself for championing privacy. However, I doubt anything Merkel said via her mobile was anything of strategic value to the NSA or worth the fuss but of course it is the principle that matters.
Merkel’s reaction was a token move taken out of the political playbook. If Merkel didn’t react with some sort of discontent there would have been public outrage and it would have severely hurt her party’s chances of forming any type of government coalition. Also, you have to imagine, that the BND (Germany’s intelligence agency) should have been aware of the NSA’s capabilities? Also, have you noticed there hasn’t been anymore outrage and discontent from her but rather coming from members of the Social Democratic Party of Germany (SPD) and Green parties?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PHXQvg0-0us
Spain, Italy and France join the party of discontent
France’s Le Monde, Spain’s El Pais, and Italy’s L’Espresso have all broken stories how state leaders and ordinary people have had their communications collected by the NSA. All reactions have been very similar to Germany’s statement of ‘outrage’ and France and Spain have also summoned their respective American ambassador.
I do believe that much of this frustration with the NSA and more importantly the U.S. government by France, Italy and Spain is warranted because any public backlash could bring additional strain to their governments and fragile economies. In reality Spain, France and Italy have more pressing matters to be dealing with at the present time.
#restorethe4th #1984 #NSA #PRISM. Image credit: Aaron Muszalski
Cameron goes about it all wrong
It was a surprising play by Snowden giving his classified documents to the Guardian (be sure to check out the NSA Files) which turned out to be a tactful move but more interesting is the reaction of British Prime Minister David Cameron. For Cameron, he cannot afford to ruin the ‘special relationship’ with the U.S. particularly after losing the House of Common’s vote on Syria, which may be the catalyst for him publicly attacking the Guardian.
If Cameron was smart he would use this opportunity to take a pragmatic lead to ease relations between U.S and Europe over the Snowden revelations. However, Cameron seems to be obsessed with repatriating powers from Brussels rather than strengthening the UK’s position in Europe.
American Exceptionalism
America’s rationale behind much of its global actions falls under the age-old mantra ‘because we’re America’ or ‘terrorism’, summing up well the U.S. government’s and public’s continued outlooks on the NSA’s surveillance activities. In a political world where stereotypes still vividly linger, the U.S. response to Merkel’s outcry was followed up by a token call with Obama (same as with France) to reassure any worries. Then in a tit-for-tat move the U.S. Treasury decided to blame Germany for Europe’s and the world’s poor economic conditions, however the ‘scathing’ remark by the U.S. treasury is nothing out of the ordinary but in this case strategically timed.
Also you may have noticed other than phone calls from Obama to heads of state, nothing else has been done to sooth relations, which makes you wonder how big of an issue is this for state leaders and their governments? After all the U.S. and Europe need to continue on relationships because how much both U.S. and Europe are imbedded in each other.
Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP)
The announcement of the monitoring of Europeans could not have come at a more appropriate yet worst time for TTIP. Whilst the rhetoric from Europeans governments and the U.S has been patronising and a pure reaction because of public pressure, the U.S. spying on Europeans will not derail the negotiations. TTIP is too lucrative and enticing for the EU and U.S. to postpone the ‘partnership.’ What will however delay the talks will be the intense corporate lobbying efforts in Washington and in Brussels in which big business interests will determine the make-up and complexity of TTIP.
From a U.S. standpoint, TTIP is seen as more vital for Europe than the U.S., because at the present time the Trans-Pacific Partnership is taking precedence because the U.S. is bent on forming strong Far East relations as a way to keep China in check and Europe is seen as an easy win. However, if Europe did decide to halt negotiations in addition to its token political discourse and showmanship of summoning U.S. ambassadors, U.S. politicians would take notice. Till then, it will be business as usual between Europe and America.
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